Morrison's Pensions


Pension Application for William Johnson

S.45426 (Continental, 3d Battalion of Art., Captain)
B.L.Wt.1128-200 Capt. Lt.  Issued July 7, 1791.
State of New York
Dutchess County SS.
            I Cornelius J. Elmendorf, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Dutchess in the State of New York—Do certify to the Secretary of the Department of War—That on the seventh day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, personally came before me,  William Johnson, Esquire who being by me duly sworn did depose and say—that he entered into the army of the Revolution of the United States, in the year A D 1775, and that afterwards he received the annexed commission of Captain Lieutenant, in the third Battalion of Artillery of the Army of the United States—and that he [?] in that capacity until the close of said Revolutionary War, also that he received the annexed commission of Captain by Brevet—and also the said Johnson did further state, that he by reason if his reduced circumstances in life is in need of the assistance of his country for support—And I the said Cornelius J. Elmendorf Judge as aforesaid do further certify that it appears to me that in the facts above stated and in all things true, and that the said Johnson did serve in the aforesaid capacity in the Army of the Revolution against the common enemy and that he is entitled to the relief given by the act of the Congress of the United States of America—in that case made & provided – In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand – the day and year aforesaid.  Corn’s. D. Elmendorf.

Letter written in reply for information.  Dated April 1, 1940.
            Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to William Johnston (Johnson), who was born December 1, 1748, entered the Army at the age of seventeen years, commanded a company in 1767, served during the French and Indians Wars, at the close of which he was promoted to colonel, served also during the entire War for Independence and was discharge December 4, 1783, at New York, with rank of Brigadier General.
            This office has no record of service rendered in the Colonies prior to the Revolutionary War, hence no information pertaining to the early service of the William Johnson cited by you.
            A search of the Revolutionary War records of this office has been made and no claim for pension or bounty land found based upon service of a William Johnston or Johnson identical with the officer cited by you.  In that search, the claim for pension has been found of one officer with that name who received pension in New York State.  His record follows as found in pension claim, S.45426; these data may aid you in your research.
            William Johnson entered service in the year 1775, the place and his residence not given; from January 1, 1777, he served as Captain-Lieutenant in the 3d Battalion of Artillery; later, he received a commission of Brevet-Captain and continued until the close of the Revolutionary War.  It is not shown that he rendered service in any higher rank, nor that he was discharged from service December 4, 1783.
            On account of his service as Captain-Lieutenant in the Continental Line, War of the Revolution, he was allowed two hundred acres of bounty land on warrant #1128, issued July 7, 1791.
            William Johnson was allowed pension on account of his service as an officer in the Revolutionary War on his application executed April 7, 1818.  He was then a resident of Red Hook, Dutchess County, New York.  His age was not given, and he made no reference to family.  He died February 20, 1819.
            It is suggested that further information in regard to the military service of William Johnson might be obtained from the Adjutant General War Department, this city, custodian of military records.

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